“You’ve got some guts starting your residency pregnant!” I was that intern. It was June 2011. A few months earlier, on Match Day—the day when the National Residency Matching Program releases results to applicants seeking residency in …
Category: Policy
The truth behind the U.S. doctor shortage: Intentional or not?
My friend and colleague, Alex Berezow, wrote a piece titled “Is the U.S. doctor shortage intentional?” The writers at ACSH share their work before publication to get feedback, and in the case of Alex’s latest, we disagreed. While much…
How ultra-processed foods are devastating public health
As the world emerges from COVID-19, we must remember there is a silent yet devastating health crisis: our diets. In this era, convenience reigns supreme, with ultra-processed foods infiltrating everyone’s lives, leading to surges in preventable d…
How hospitals’ requirements lead to staffing shortages
Most hospitals are now also requiring fingerprinting and immunizations, with some demanding double PPDs. Extra COVID boosters and proof of previous immunization for MMR, Hepatitis B, and Varicella are now required. They require current titers. COVID ca…
Toxic energy: Confronting the carcinogenic risks of fossil fuels
The evidence is clear: Proximity to fossil fuel infrastructure poses a significant cancer risk to millions of Americans. Studies consistently link exposure to pollutants like benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter from…
Medicare’s 14-day rule is hurting cancer patients
It is no secret that we are making great strides in reducing the mortality of lung cancer. From improving screening rates which have reduced the chances of dying from lung cancer due to earlier detection, increased adoption of minimally invasive surgic…
Interdisciplinary care teams play a pivotal role in mitigating the clinician shortage
The evolving health care landscape presents a growing demand for skilled providers. To meet this challenge, health care leaders must prioritize innovation and explore solutions that leverage existing resources to deliver the high-quality care that pati…
Getting caught in the crossfire of the hearing aid wars
My hearing precipitously declined four years ago. As a patient and practicing physician, I became dependent upon hearing aids. Thus, I was introduced to the off-putting business of hearing aids in America. The American hearing aid market is estimated t…
Migrant health in crisis: How we can lead the way in inclusive care
“I’m sorry, but we’re unable to accept this patient into the program right now due to a shortage of Spanish-speaking workers.” I have lost count of the number of times I’ve had to say this statement to the various referral…
Innovation doesn’t have to be flashy to make a big impact
Labor shortages have become a pressing concern across the health care sector, with the nurse staffing crisis looming large over hospitals and health systems nationwide. A report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission illuminated the severity o…
